Cooking, learning and teaching about the real meal

Shopping

As our year is coming to a close here, I have been thinking about what I have gleaned from our lifestyle here. While some things food-related have been challenging (lack of availability of certain foods, and general lack of awareness/culture around whole and healthy foods), other things have been refreshing and fun. Here are some reflections

In many ways, the food situation here represents both ends of the spectrum, and very little in the middle. I wrote extensively about this in my series of articles entitled “Globally Aware” at www.simplegoodandtasty.com In the grocery store, I can buy much of what I need, from brown rice, whole wheat bread and lentils, to oil, butter, yogurt and even produce, but the quality and freshness of those items is questionable at best, and the amount of packaging is disturbing. Meanwhile, I can walk 5 blocks to the Mercado Central and find many bulk items, from spices, to grains like quinoa and millet, to bulk cheeses and cured meats and fish and chicken and to top it off, I have interactions with the folks who sell these items. These interactions often include advice on the flavor and texture of a certain type of fish (ever heard of “white salmon”?), which type of paprika is available, or what cheese will be best before dinner tonight.

While in Minneapolis, I can find the best quality foods, and the biggest variety of foods in one location (my local food coop) the one thing that I love about shopping here it the interaction with proprietors. These shops are small, the people who own them are the ones handing you your bag, or explaining where something comes from. This is their livelihood, and the day-to-day interactions are their venue. I love this. Shopping is a very personal and often a very solitary activity. I can spend half an hour in the grocery store, and not exchange a word with anyone. There are times when this is exactly what I want-a break from everything and a time to stare at the bulk nuts and contemplate the week’s menu (or sometimes, something entirely unrelated to food!). Other times however, the interaction, the activity and the contact is a part of the shopping experience, and also adds to the joy of preparing the food. It becomes a window into the path of the food, much like the feeling of coming home after shopping at the farmer’s market in Minneapolis. I have met someone who produced or procured the food, and who takes pride in bringing it to the public. The business of feeding people is no small task, and doing so with enthusiasm, and creativity is another thing altogether.

The truth is, I am still unsure of the path of some of this food, and it is still difficult to get any information about chemicals and growing methods. That said, I am certain that I am buying this food from someone who has taken the time to choose the best of what they can find, and to present it in a way that celebrates the joy of cooking and eating.